Type II Collagen

Type II collagen is a fibrillar collagen, and the main component of cartilage. Type II collagen is the cartilage collagen; it constitutes 95% of the collagens and approximately 60% of dry weight. Mutations in type II collagen result in several types of chondrodysplasia, leading to premature osteoarthritis. Type II collagen is typically coassembled with collagen XI, where it is covalently crosslinked to collagen IX and interacts with small leucine-rich proteoglycans. Its stability and strength provide the tissue with integrity and resiliency to stress. Type II collagen cleavage is primarily mediated by collagenases of the matrix metalloproteinase family, resulting in well-described biomarkers such as C-terminal telopeptide of type II collagen and C2C. In addition, several formation makers have been developed. Type II collagen has important binding partners such as fibronectin and other collagens.